Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is going to be a happy man going into the 2026 season after the team completely revamped his unit with players that will actually fit his scheme compared to last year.

The Bears added multiple starting-caliber players in free agency and during the 2026 NFL Draft to pair with some of the returning standout stars. But, how does the unit actually look on paper after all the latest additions?

Below is my best guess at the Bears’ starting lineup on defense. The below projections will be broken down between the starting base, nickel, and dime defensive personnel. Players with an asterisk denote a new starter compared to last year’s Week 1.

Chicago Bears projected 2026 starting defense

Base 4-3 defense (4 DL, 3 LBs, 4 DBs)

• DE: Montez Sweat
• DT: Grady Jarrett
• DT: Gervon Dexter Sr.
• DE: Austin Booker*
• MLB: T.J. Edwards
• WLB: Devin Bush*
• SLB: D’Marco Jackson
• CB1: Jaylon Johnson
• CB2: Tyrique Stevenson
• FS: Coby Bryant*
• SS: Dillon Thieneman*

Nickel defense (4 DL, 2 LBs, 5 DBs)

• DE: Montez Sweat
• DT: Grady Jarrett
• DT: Gervon Dexter Sr.
• DE: Austin Booker*
• MLB: T.J. Edwards
• WLB: Devin Bush*
• NCB: Kyler Gordon
• CB1: Jaylon Johnson
• CB2: Tyrique Stevenson
• FS: Coby Bryant*
• SS: Dillon Thieneman*

Dime defense (4 DL, 1 LBs, 6 DBs

• DE: Montez Sweat
• DT: Grady Jarrett
• DT: Gervon Dexter Sr.
• DE: Austin Booker*
• MLB: T.J. Edwards
• NCB1: Kyler Gordon
• NCB2: Cam Lewis*
• CB1: Jaylon Johnson
• CB2: Tyrique Stevenson
• FS: Coby Bryant*
• SS: Dillon Thieneman*

Notes

• The potential of this defense will be determined by the health of Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, who each missed significant time in 2025. Both players are Pro Bowl caliber players at their best and can transform this defense’s ability to lock down opposing #1 wide receivers and stay flexible with the other nine defenders.
• The Dillon Thieneman / Coby Bryant duo is going to be exciting to watch. DA will likely play both players interchangeably at either safety position but each player plays with a downhill, aggressive style.
• Chicago’s starting front four will remain the same from how the season ended. Montez Sweat has the ability to be a top pass rusher and Austin Booker is emerging as a consistent force off the edge. Behind those two, the Bears will be rotating in Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner a healthy amount, with a revamped interior room.
• The biggest difference for this unit is going to be Devin Bush. The Bears were desperately missing speed at the second level last season and the base defense will be much improved with Bush and D’Marco Jackson playing alongside T.J. Edwards.

2025 LB passer rating allowed
(minimum 140 coverage snaps)

1st = D'Marco Jackson 68.9
2nd = Devin Bush 69.3 pic.twitter.com/IAdNcIzT2R

— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) March 9, 2026

Toughest spots to predict

• Outside CB2: This has been a problem position in the past for Chicago’s defense and the Bears were able to get by last season thanks to the surprising play of Nahshon Wright. With Wright out of the picture, the battle for the outside CB2 job will come down to the following players: Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Zah Frazier, and Terell Smith. The Bears can’t afford to let this position be a weak link anymore.
• DT3: This wasn’t a starting position listed above, but I am intrigued who is the first DT off the bench. Neville Gallimore has plenty of experience and speed after signing a two-year deal and I would love to see sixth-round rookie Jordan van den Berg earn plenty of opportunities for himself in Year 1.
• NCB2: When the Bears do go into dime personnel, that’s where DA really gets creative with his coverages and blitzes. Last year, the Bears had a solid dime defender in C.J. Gardner-Johnson, outside of his coverage abilities in man against speedy WRs. I would think veteran free agent Cam Lewis wins that job, but could also see Muhammad kicking inside if he doesn’t win the outside job.